Haunting History: The Forgotten Serial Killer Of North Dakota

It's not something we often like to think about in North Dakota. We don't like to think that danger is lurking in our state, and for the most part, compared to other states, we are pretty safe.

However, North Dakota has a dark past you might not have known about.

While murders do happen from time to time, it's very rare that an individual gets coined a "serial killer".

First, what is the actual definition of a serial killer? According to Oxford Dictionary, a serial killer is someone who commits multiple murders with no obvious motive, but follows a predictable behavior pattern.

(Also Read: Most Terrifyingly Haunted Cemetery In North Dakota)

Serial Killers In North Dakota

According to Ghosts of North Dakota, there is one serial killer that is often forgotten about, and his story is pretty gruesome.

Have you ever heard of a man named Eugene Butler? Butler was a farmer in Niagara, a small North Dakota town. Around 1904, his farm was valued at $40,000-$50,000, which would have made him one of the wealthiest farmers in the state at the time.

He was known by locals as a bit of a recluse, and over the years, his behavior became concerning to other residents of the town.

He was seen riding his horses late at night, yelling from the top of his lungs. Something I'm sure you could picture of your friends doing on a drunken night out, though, his behavior was said to have been...well...creepier.

Eventually, Butler was admitted to a psychiatric facility and stayed there for approximately 8 years.

According to Murderpedia, two years after Butler's death, several bodies were discovered during an excavation of his old home. A total of 6 male bodies between the ages of 16 and 18 were found on the property.

What makes this story even more creepy? According to the source, the townspeople raided the home and actually stole the bones. This sounds crazy, right? To this day, authorities do not know where they ended up and are unable to do DNA testing. This, according to PrairieNews.org.

Many believed that Butler suffered delusions that people were out to get him. Remember, he was committed to a psychiatric facility.

The victims were believed to be his farmhands.

Looking back at all of the different tales and theories out there, it's hard to say what exactly happened, but it is still a very creepy, cautionary tale.